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Isle of Anglesey

Porth Eilian

6.3 · Rocks · Isle of Anglesey

Porth Eilian is a small, sheltered inlet on Anglesey’s north‑east coast with rough ground and kelp-covered rock ledges around the bay mouth. Access is on foot via coastal paths/track from the parking by the lifeboat station/nearby lanes, then short clambers onto rock platforms; fishing is typically over mixed reef and sand patches with some deeper water toward the outer edge. It’s a classic light-to-medium rock mark where you work float or soft plastics for wrasse/pollack and switch to bait on the cleaner patches for rays, dogfish and the odd flatfish, best on the flooding tide and into dusk.

Should you fish Porth Eilian?

55 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 18:00-21:00 around the falling tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

Fair conditions. Best available around 18:00-21:00 around the falling tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Pollack.

W 5 mph Rain 82% High tide 04:07

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Porth Eilian — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Monday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Porth Eilian is best treated as a feature-fishing rock mark rather than a general casting venue. The better fishing usually comes from matching the ground: work kelp edges, gullies and tide seams around the bay mouth for wrasse, pollack and mackerel, then switch to simpler bait rigs on cleaner sand patches for dogfish, thornback rays and the odd flatfish. The flood and first of the ebb are the key windows, but swell, weed and slippery ledges can quickly turn this from productive to unfishable.

  • Know when to fish the outer rocks instead of the inner patches
  • Time the flood and first ebb around the tide-run features
  • Pick the right tactic for kelp, gullies or cleaner sand
  • Avoid the swell and weed conditions that kill this mark
  • Switch targets fast: pollack, wrasse, dogfish or conger

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Penysarn 1.9 mi Amlwch 2.1 mi Bull Bay 3.2 mi Rhos-y-bol 4.3 mi Moelfre 4.6 mi

Explore nearby towns: Penysarn · Amlwch · Bull Bay · Rhos-y-bol · Moelfre

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.3 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 6/10

Pollack 8/10
Tip: Work kelp edges and gulleys with soft plastics/lures; best on flooding tide, clear water, and at dusk.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Float-fish or light leger with crab/worm close to weed-covered rocks; use strong hooks and gear for snags.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Reliable on sandy patches at the mouth after dark; mackerel/squid on running ledger.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer/autumn in the bay mouth and outer rocks; feathers or small metals when fish are showing.
Coalfish 6/10
Tip: Often among the weed and tide runs; small lures or baited spinners, especially in cooler months.
Goldsinny Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Common close in; small crab/worm baits under a float, handle carefully and return quickly if released.
Thornback Ray 5/10
Tip: Occasional from cleaner ground on bigger tides; fish baits or squid on a pulley/long trace.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: Night fishing into deeper clefts/rough ground with large fish or squid baits; expect heavy snags.
Plaice 4/10
Tip: Sporadic on sandier areas inside/near the mouth; ragworm or tipped cocktails, best spring/early summer.
Dab 4/10
Tip: Small baits on lighter leads if you can find clean sand between reefs; more likely on calmer seas.

Local knowledge

Porth Eilian fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Porth Eilian is a small, rocky cove on Anglesey’s exposed north‑east corner, where deep water and strong tidal flow come close in along the headlands. It’s a proper “rough ground” venue that can fish brilliantly for kelp‑hugging species, but it demands respect for swell, weed and snaggy terrain.

  • Best thought of as a rock/kelp and tide-run mark rather than a clean surf beach
  • Produces a mix of wrasse, pollack and mackerel in season, with chances of conger and the occasional bass around rougher edges
  • Fishing is often about picking the right ledge and timing it to the tide and sea state

The mark sits around the Porth Eilian cove and the adjacent rocky points, with access via coastal paths and short scrambles to ledges. It’s straightforward to reach in decent conditions, but the last few metres to fishable rock can be awkward and slippery.

  • Approach is typically on foot along the headland paths; expect uneven ground and wet rock near the waterline
  • Most anglers fish from the rocks around the mouth of the cove and the more exposed points where depth and current increase
  • After rain or heavy seas, the rocks and algae become extremely slick; allow extra time and choose safer platforms

Because it’s kelpy, rocky and tide-swept, Porth Eilian leans toward typical north Anglesey rock species, with pelagic fish appearing when baitfish are close in. Species can change quickly with water clarity and sea state.

  • Wrasse (ballan and smaller species) are a staple in calmer seas over rough ground
  • Pollack patrol the kelp edges and gullies, especially on flooding tides and when there’s a bit of movement
  • Mackerel show in summer when shoals come tight to the headland
  • Conger eel are possible after dark from deeper, rougher sections (snags are common)
  • Bass can turn up around rough, foamy water and gullies when conditions suit

This is a venue where presentation and tackle choice should match heavy ground and strong water; you’ll lose gear if you fish it like a sandy bay. Bring abrasion resistance, strong links and be ready to move if weed builds up.

  • For wrasse: float fishing or light legering with tough mono/fluoro leaders; fish tight to kelp and rock
  • For pollack: spinning (soft plastics, sandeel patterns, metals) or float-led live/dead baits where allowed; work gullies and the drop-off
  • For mackerel: feathers or small metals when shoals are present; fish into deeper water at the mouth/points
  • For conger: heavier gear, large baits (fish baits/squid), and a pulley or running ledger; keep the rod high and expect brutal take-downs
  • Use grip leads and/or streamline rigs when the tide is pushing hard; keep snoods shorter to reduce snagging
  • Carry spare rigs and leads; rough ground losses are normal here

Porth Eilian’s fishing is strongly influenced by tidal flow around the headlands, plus swell from northerly and easterly quarters. It can fish very well with a bit of “life” in the water, but too much sea can make it dangerous and unfishable.

  • The flood and the first of the ebb often fish best where current lines run close to the rocks
  • A light swell and some colour can improve sport for predatory fish; gin-clear calm seas can be slow in bright conditions
  • Strong onshore wind or heavy swell can push surge into the cove and flood ledges unexpectedly
  • Weed can be a major factor after rough weather; if you’re constantly dragging weed, switch to shorter snoods, heavier leads, or move mark
  • Dawn/dusk can be productive for pollack and bass; darkness increases conger chances but also raises safety risk

This is not a “stand anywhere” family rock mark—there are exposed edges, slippery weed and the possibility of sudden swell. Pick conservative positions, especially if you don’t know the ledges, and be prepared to walk away if conditions worsen.

  • Wear studded boots/cleats and carry minimal gear when moving on rock
  • Avoid low, flat ledges if there is any swell; rogue waves are a real risk on north Anglesey marks
  • Fish with a partner where possible, particularly at night
  • Keep an eye on your exit route: rising water and surge can cut off easy returns
  • A lifejacket/buoyancy aid is strongly recommended on the more exposed points
  • Mobile signal can be patchy depending on position; let someone know your plan

Facilities immediately at the rocks are limited, as this is a small, natural cove rather than a built-up promenade venue. Plan as if you’ll be self-sufficient for the session.

  • No guaranteed shelter at the fishing spots; wind exposure is common
  • Bring drinking water, spare layers and a basic first-aid kit for cuts from rock/weed-covered surfaces
  • Rubbish facilities may be limited; take line offcuts and bait packaging home
  • Parking and nearby amenities depend on local access points; check locally before committing to a long session

Small changes in position can make a big difference here—one gully may be lifeless while the next holds fish. Treat it like a “feature fishing” venue: hunt depth, clean water and bait presence.

  • Spend a few minutes watching the water: look for current seams, white water over kelp and deeper green channels
  • If you’re targeting wrasse, fish close and don’t be afraid to tighten up quickly to stop them burying in kelp
  • For pollack on lures, work the lure back through the kelp edge rather than dragging it straight across the top
  • Keep rigs simple and robust; complex multi-hook arrangements tend to snag
  • In clear conditions, scale down traces and fish stealthier; in coloured water, prioritise scent and profile

I’m not aware of a blanket, permanent ban on sea angling at Porth Eilian itself, but rules can change and restrictions can apply to specific activities (access, parking, wildlife protection, or seasonal/local notices). Always treat signage and local byelaws as authoritative.

  • Check on-site signs for access restrictions, cliff safety notices, and any wildlife/heritage protections
  • If you intend to use bait collection methods (e.g., crabbing, digging, taking shellfish), verify what is permitted locally before doing so
  • Observe minimum sizes and best practice for catch-and-release; handle wrasse carefully and return them promptly if not retaining
  • Be mindful of other coastal users and keep lines clear of paths and popular viewpoints
  • If in doubt, consult Natural Resources Wales information, local harbour/authority notices, or Anglesey coastal access updates before you fish